Alone.

All alone.

On top of a hill--far removed.  Alone.

Surrounded by a loud, rambunctious crowd, all talking at the same time.... yet Alone.

Every person on the planet experiences that feeling; that sensation of being removed, being isolated, no matter their physical location. Whether one has many siblings (or none) everyone needs to learn how to live within their own skin alone. To be content while alone is an added bonus that not all are able to achieve. Isolation can feel so real, and yet we only have to reach out to be brought "in from the cold." And yet, being alone does not automatically mean one is unhappy or empty. It takes internal discernment to know the difference.

We can be so easily persuaded in this world that we stand alone, especially in the United States where individualism is a total virtue. When things are going well, we can stand independent and any glory "belongs" to us. However, when life is tough, the world is big, the rain is cold, there is no one for us to lean on nor be comforted by. Both scenarios are lies from the pit. We were created with a void within--a void only to be filled by God for intimate communion with Him. Without Him is true loneliness, being truly alone. Yet, if we but turn to Jesus, He promises us to never leave nor forsake us.

Our successes are because of Him; we give Him all glory, knowing how close to disaster we truly live. Our darkest days are lit by His love and the knowledge that His mercies never come to an end. Not only is He with us, but His Body is also... if we allow them room in our lives. Not only can our successes be shared with those who will rejoice with us, but our defeats and dark days don't have to be endured alone. We need to allow His church, His body here on Earth, to minister to us. Likewise, we can reach out to those around us and minister to both the church as well as the world around us.

So we are truly never alone, as Christians, because Jesus is always there with us. Always. Whether you have close family or not, siblings or not, close or distant friends, He is there. Find fellowship and peace in Him when you are feeling alone. When you need Jesus with flesh on, turn to your brothers and sisters in Christ--the Body of Christ, the church. Our enemy wants to keep us divided and feeling alone, isolated. We have to remember we are part of the Church Triumphant, and not as alone as we think.

As far as how a parent can help their Only walk in contentment in their aloneness, there is probably very little one can do. Remember alone emphasizes being apart from others and does not necessarily imply unhappiness, but there are some things that a parent can do, to help in the process. Introducing them to Jesus early is of course what every Christian parent wants to do. To see one's child fully "enrolled" into the Kingdom by their choice is a blessing. Encourage them in learning how to occupy themselves, so they are not overtly dependent on external stimulus, whether that is from video, radio, or even other people. Don't be forceful but have this as only another kind of lesson. The child needs to know it's not a bad thing to spend some quiet time alone in their room. Seeing a parent be an example for such "down time" can help. Helping them to distinguish between "being alone" and "being lonely" is a good thing. Just because one is totally alone...on a hill somewhere, so very isolated, or in a crowd of people, it doesn't mean one is truly totally alone, nor is it true that they are unhappy and lonely. Learning to commune with the Lord of the universe, alone and away from others is a privilege and a joy to discover.

So...although we see the descriptions of isolation as being a negative, none of them need to be. Surrounded by a loud, rambunctious crowd, all talking at the same time.... yet not sad, not isolated, not truly alone.

On top of a hill--far removed.  Alone. Yet not truly alone. Do we know what discoveries can be made when alone? What secrets may the Lord desire to reveal to us when we are alone?

All alone. 

Alone.......? You don't need to be.